Game



Aug. 26, 1930. o. A. DRENGWITZ GAME , 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June16 -m nmumuumu IJIII A g- 1930- o. A. DRENGWITZ GAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 16, 1928 INVENTOR Aug. 26, 1930.

'0. A. DRENGWITZ GAME , 1928 5 Sheets-Sheat 3 Fi led June 16 r: lllllllml illlllllll ill! I. I.

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INVENTOR Patented Aug. 26, 1930 stairs stare ATENT OFFICE GAMEApplication filed June 16,

This invention relates broadly to games and is for a game wherein a gamepiece may be mechanically moved along a game board by means of anactuating mechanism or impeller of novel construction.

According to my invention, game pieces may be moved along circular,polygonal, sinuous r winding pathways by an impeller which can beoperated from a driving means conveniently located on the game board.

There may be confined with the impeller for moving the game pieces,various indicators and coordinated mechanisms for producing certaindesired action. For instance,

the invention may be embodied in a baseball game where the action ofsome of the players is mechanically represented, or in racing games,where various hazards of the race may be encountered.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain present preferredembodiments of the invention wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of a gameboard with a portion removed;

Figure 2 is aplan view of a portion of the game board shown in Figure 1but having the top or playing surface removed in order that theoperating parts may be seen, the parts being in a different operativeposition than shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a cross section on the line III-IH of Figure 1, portionsbeing cutaway;

Figure a is a detail to enlarged scale of a portion of the device shownin Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a detail view showing the operation of the impeller on amovable playing piece;

Figure 6 is a top plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown inFigure 5 but with the figure of the player removed for simplicity;

Figure 7 is a detail view showing the operative connection of one of theplaying pieces to its actuating mechanism;

Figure 8 is a plan view of the play indicator shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 9 is a plan view of a modified form of game board with a portionof its playing surface removed;

1928. fierial No. 285,887.

a side elevation and Figure 12 a front view;

and

Figure 13 is a detail view of the playing piece representing the batter.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings and to the embodiment ofthe invention shown in Figures 1 to 8, inclusive, reference numeral 2designates generally a game board having side walls 3, a bottom 4 and atop or playing surface 5. Strips 6 are fastened to the interior of theside walls and support the bottom 4 and the top 5, which are formed ofsheet metal. Connected'to the bottom 4 is an upwardly porjecting member7 having formed as a part thereof a pair of vertically extending walls8. The inner of the walls 8 is of less height than the outer as shown inFigure 3 for a purpose to be presently described. The walls 8 togetherwith the memher 7 form a channel which is substantially closed on threesides and which extends in a curve, as shown in Figures 1 and 2,substantially underlying a representation on the board of the base pathsof a baseball diamond. The top 5 of the board has a slot 9 extendingcompletely around the base paths of the diamond. so that the top is infact divided into an outer portion 10 and an inner portion 10, whichinner portion 10 is fastened to the bottom a by screws 11. The outer porion 10 of the top is also fastened to the bottom by screws 12. The outerwall 8 is reversely curved at 13, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, toaccommodate the impeller, to be presently described.

Suitably journalled at 14 on the bottom 4.- is a shaft 15 to whichoutside a side wall 3 of the board is keyed a pinion 16. Journalled inthe side wall 8 adjacent the shaft 15 is a stud shaft 17 to which iskeyed a gear 18 meshing with the pinion l6 and having affixed thereto anoperating handle 19.

Connected to the shaft 15 is an impeller 20 having a substantiallyhelical portion 21. This impeller, as shown in the preferred embodiment,comprises a flexible metal coil.

ment to the impeller 20.

The coil 20 is resilient and partakes of the nature of an ordinary coilspring. It 6X- tends from the shaft 15 into the channel formed by thewalls 8 and the member 7 being guided adjacent the shaft along therevei-sely curved portion 13 of the outer wall. The impclle of such asize as to substantially till the channel, although it is loose enoughto permit of rotation substantiall about its Rotation of the fJ-fGtll 18by means; of the operatin handle 19 transmits through the pinion lfi andthe sl' aft 15, a rotational inovcll-v reason of its flexibil ty. suchrotation is pos hle d pite the curves in the channel at he bases of thediamond. By reason oft pellcr and its containn tion is impeded at whichin". i 1 d a nce points while pc" i\ t built up in the i1 1 impedanceand thepoin t applied ther to. lVhen the str-z .o imparb ed to theimpeller reaches a certain va ue it will be great enough to overcoi -ethe impedance and to cause rotation of the impeller an impedance pointat an increased so to tend to relieve it of unequal stresses. Thus ifthe operating handle 19 he continuously rotated at a. constant speed.there will ,1

be produced in the impeller a n term or jerky motion. A given point ofthe my pc ler will move at a normal speed for n increment of time,following which it move at a reduced speed due to the i and subseouentlyit will move at an rspeed due to overcoming: of the impedance abovedescribed. This non-uni term or jcrlzr motion of the impeller i 0 madeuse of as will be ,u'cscntly described.

Journalled in the board at a spending to the pitchers hot shaft havii acoil spring i dead-ended at its opposite end ot om 4-.

. voted to the bottom l which at opp one s at a point intermediate itsends. One end of the lever is pivoted to the linl; 2st at and the otherend of tl c lever is pivoted t slide The sli lo 33 3 two lonflitudinalslots on connected the bottom Journallcd in the board at a pointcorresponding to the but ters DSS'l ClOE! is a verti al shaft 37 havinga non circular upper eX- tremity Rigidly llTTQtl to the shaft 37 a linl;having a longitnd lal slot embracing a cally er-stcndfi pin 41 on theCllwO iout the sha't 3 at a point itermedilatc its ends is a lever 42 tonnectcd to the slide 7", 4-: an 1-1. standing post M) c .ular upper exremit ,d t to lever 4-2 is pivoted I :8 having at its opposi extrenn t111 u standin pin She vertical s 2 and 3? extend uo tl *ough circulz thetop Tao post and the pi i l up thr h longitudinal slots in the top topermit of their motion su stantially in the direction of the length ofthe slide The shafts 22 and 37 and the post 45 are adapted to receiveover their non-circular upper extremities playingpieces representing thepitcher, batter and catcher, respectively. The piece representing thecatcher which fits over the post 46 serves as av means whereby a personplaying the game may operate the mechanism above described. Assuming theparts to be in the position shown in Figure 2, to which p they areresiliently urged by the spring 26. the player grasps the piecerepresenting the catcher and moves it to the loft, viewing such figureuntil the parts assume the position shown in Figure 1. In this positionthe spring 26 is under tension and is tending to restore the parts tothe position shown in Figure 2 by movement generally to the rightviewing such figure.

Movement of the parts generally toward the left as above describedcauses the shaft 22 upon which the piece representing the pitcher ismounted to rotate throughout a small angle in a clockwise direction.This movement is intended to simulate the pitchers windup. In Figure 7is shown a playing piece 50 representing the pitcher having a base 51 inwhich is a vertical slot 52 of a size adapted to receive thenon-circular extremity 23 of the shaft 22. A set screw 53 is providedfor securely holding; the piece on the shaft. The playing pieces abovedescribed representing the batter and catcher are constructed generallysimilarly to the piece representing the pitcher, except that appropriatefigures ar used for the respective pieces. The piece representing thebatter is slightly modified, however, as will be presently described.

Movement of the parts generally toward the left also causes rotation ofthe shaft 37, and consequently of the playing piece representing thebatter which is mounted there on, throughout a small angle in aclockwise direction. The batter is represented as being right-handed, sothat rotation of the piece in the manner described is intended tosimulate drawing back of the hat by the batter preparatory to strikingat a pitched ball.

At the same time as the pitcher is in posi tion to pitch the ball andthe batter is in position to strike at it, the catcher is in aposisuitable size intended to represent a base ball is placed in theslot in the top of the board which contains the pin l9 and against thepin. The ball must, of course, be large enough not to pass through theslot and small enough so that movement of the pin will project it overthe surface of the board toward the home plate. All of the parts as thusde scribed are therefore in position for commencement of a play by apitched ball.

The person playing the game quickly releases the piece representing thecatcher so that the parts under action or the spring 26 are caused tomove quickly to the right. This movement causes the piece representingthe pitcher to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, simulatingpitching the ball, the piece representing the batter to be rotated in acounter-clockwise lirection, simulating striking at the ball, and thepiece representing the catcher to be moved to the right, simulatingadjusting his position for receiving the pitched ball. the same time thepin 49 is moved sharply to the left projecting the ball from thepitchers box across the home plate. The piece representing the batter,shown in Figure 13, has an extension 9? just above the level of the topof the board which is moved into the path of the ball b the rotation ofthe piece, simulating the hitting or" the ball by the bat, whereupon theball is pro jected out over the board as is t 1e case with a batted ballin a baseball game.

The cycle of events above described is repeated each time a ball ispitched and, when taken in combination with the elements and steps yetto be described, constitutes the playing of the game.

The slide 33 has a lateral extension 54 which in turn has a lateralextension 55. The end 56 or" the extension at lies between the toplatter, upon movement of thelug to the right,

to be rotated at a considerable speed.

The indicating disc 61 is provided with 1ndicia disposed at din'ferentdistances rrom its center. The top 10 is provided with slots will beseen that en ch mic that the piece representing the catcher is drawn tothe left by the person playing the game and then permitted to snap tothe right, as above describes, the lug 59 engages a tooth of the gear62, thereby rotating the'disc 61 in a clockwise direction. The lug 59moves far enough to the right to pass out of mesh with the gear 62 sothat the disc will continue its rotation until it comes to rest byreason of the friction at its pivotal mounting. At the time when thedisc finally comes to rest, the portions of the indicia which areexposed through the slots 63 indicate the fate of the batter, such aswhether he had a strike or a ball or made a hit or grounded out, etc.Thus the indicating disc 61 determines upon the pitching of each ballwhat takes place with regard to the batter. This indicator, therefore,determines in what instances a batter becomes a base runner.

The indicia on the disc 61 may comprise different colored arcu ateportions 98, as shown in Figure 8, the respective colors being referredto an appropriate chart to determine the fate of the batter.

The actuator 20 serves as a means by which the pieces representing baserunners are moved around the base paths. When according to the indicator61 a batter becomes a base runner, a playing piece G l (Figure 5)representing a base runner is placed in operative engagement with theactuator along the path from home plate to first base. The playing piece6% has a flat base 65 and from which extends downwardly a projection 66of such shape as to fit between successive convolutions the actuator, asclearly shown in Figure 5. The base 65 rests upon the top of the boardand the projection 66 passes through the slot 9 to engage the actuator.Upon turning of the operating handle 19 and consequent rotation of theactuator, the playing piece 64 will be moved in the direction of theaxis of the actuator in a manner whic i is apparent.

Loosely mounted about the shaft 22 is an indicating disc 67 having alarge circular central opening 68. This opening is merely to permit thepassage of the shaft 23 therethrough and does not serve as hearing orcentering means for the indicating disc 67. As shown in Figure 3, thedisc rests at its edges upon the inner upright wall 8. It is provided atits periphery with teeth 69. These teeth are not equally spaced aboutthe entire periphery of the disc but are closer together at portionsthereoi than at other portions. The purpose of this provision will bepresently made apparent.

The teeth 69 of the indicating disc 67 engage between the successiveconvolutions of the actuator as shown in Figures 1 to incl ve. UponLOi'"O11 the actuator, th re con 0 'ns thereof bear against th es heteeth of the in hea ing disc and cause it to move in a. counterclockw edirection, viewin Figure 2, as indicated by the arrow. If the motion ofthe actuator were uniform throughout at all times and the teeth o theindicatin disc were equa spaced about entire periphery, the rotationalmovement of the disc would be ata constant speed. However, above e1:-daincd, the actuator moves form or jerky motion.

d :c is provided with lot equally spaced about perv. Consequently, whena. portion of int: teeth more clos spaced act vitb the actuator, thedisc will in more slowly than when a portion of it ha eth the board hasslots adapter to indicia as do the slots above the in disc 61. here arepreferably four slots The indicia on the indica runner for each base.disk 6'? determine the fate of a has. once he has become such, by virtueof the indicating disc 61. Thus the disc 67 indicates whether a playeris safe or out at first ba so, whether he shall continue to second base,when he shall move to third. when he is safe or out at any base, etc.

At each. play the base runner or runners are advanced by turning theoperating handle 19, the ind'cating disc 6'7 being atthe same timerotated, as above d of eribed. Its action being; uncertain, itis notpossible for the players to predict, by reason of any previous knowledgeof the board, what fate will come to any given runner or runners. Theamount which the player turns the crank to move the players after eachplay involving movement of a base runner is determined by the indiciaappouring through slots T0 at the time a base runner reaches a base.

In Figures 9 and 10 is show an eiibodimeat of certain of the broafeatures of my invention in a somewhat d1 .erent type of game. In thesfigures is shown a board 71 having; side walls 72, strips i 55, a bottom7-1: and a top The board is held. in assembled relationship by means ofnuts and bolts 76. Channels are provided on the bottom 74 slots 83through which suitable indicia on the ind catino discs may be viewed.

The canoe of the modification shown in Figures 9 and 10 is a contestbetween two p eces and S5 representine aeroplanes but havingpr'oiections tltl substantia ly identical .vith the p ojection 66 of thepiece fi l shown in Figure The indicia on the indicating discs 81determine the flight of the respective planes. The impellers preferablymove th a non-uniform or iergry motion. does the impeller of the abovedescribed embodiment, thus rendering uncertain the actuation of theindicating: discs.

In Figures 11 and 12 I have shown a modified form of game piece whereinthe figure of the runner or other miniature form is vibrated as it movesalong to simulate running or motion. The game piece has a fran'ie at thefront of which is cross shaft 92 hav inc; roller surfaces at each endthereof and a gear wheel 9 L between the rollers. Pivoted to the back ofthe fr me 90 is a base and the forward end of this base rests on thegear wheel. This base carries a toy figure 96. The gear wheel 94:engages the helical in'ipeller, d when the latter rotates the gear wheelrevolves. hen the gear wheel revolves the follcrs 93 roll on the surfaceof the game board at each side of the slot to move the game piece along.The rotation of the gear imparts a vertical vibrating motion to the base95 and the figure carried thereon, thereby giving further action to thetoy.

The flexible impelling' means for the game pieces permits of themovement of such pieces in various windings and bending athways and withvarious irregularities of movement where desired. At the same time theimpelling means is preferably substantially concealed.

The combination of the means for causing the pieces representing playersto move in simulation of motions made by players in the game ofbaseball, the use of a ball adapted to be projected. about the board andan impeller for moving the playing pieces about the bases and also foractuating an indicator produces a rame having both action and in.-terest for the players. The provision of means for moving the piecesrepresenting players as above described in combination with an indicatoractuated thereby and determining the fate of certain of the players alsolends an element of interest and enjoyment to the game. This isparticularly true when the players whose fate is thus determined are inturn actuated by the impeller and the impeller actuates another playindicator determining their success subsequently during the playing ofthe game.

The term game piece, as used in its broad sense in the claims,contemplates any instrumentality used in the game, such, for instance,as the rotatable discs, and is not limited to pieces freely movablealong the impeller.

lVhile I have shown and described certain present preferred embodimentsof the invention, it is to be understood that the same is not limitedthereto, but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the followingclaims.

I claim:

1. In a game, a game board having an elongated slot therein extending inat least two directions, a coiled wire confined under the game board inalignment with the slot, a

game piece movable along the game board having means thereon projectingthrough the slot and engaging said coiled wire, and means for rotatingthe coiled wire.

2. In a game, a rotatable impeller having a substantially helicalpiece-engaging portion, a movable piece cooperating therewith to bemoved thereby upon rotation thereof, and a play indicator alsocooperating with the impeller to be actuated upon rotation thereof.

3. In a game, a game board, an impeller for moving pieces along the gameboard comprising a flexible coil, means for rotating the coil about itsaxis and a toothed play indicator engaging said coil.

4. In a game, a game board, an impeller for moving pieces along the gameboard comprising a flexible coil, means for rotating the coil about itsaxis, and a toothed play indicator engaging said coil at a plurality ofpoints about the periphery of said indicator.

5. In a game, a game board, an impeller for moving pieces along the gameboard, comprising a flexible coil, means for rotating the coil about itsaxis, and a toothed play indicator engaging said c-oil, said indicatorhaving teeth of irregular pitch thereon.

6. In a game, a game board, an indicator, means for moving pieces aboutthe game board comprising a flexible helix confined with relation to thegame board and indicator, and means for simultaneously rotating thehelix about its axis and operating the iiidicator.

7 In a game, a rotatable impeller having a substantially helical portionand arranged in a curve, means for rotating the impeller, and a looselymounted rotatable play indicator having unequallyspaced teeth disposedwithin the curve of the impeller and'in engagement therewith at morethan one point whereby the indicator 'will'be non-uniformly rotatedupon'uniform rotation of the impeller. r

8. In a game simulating baseball, a diamond, a rotatable impeller havinga substantially helical portion disposed substantially at the base pathsof the diamond for moving playing pieces therearound, and playing pieceshaving means engaging the impeller whereby movement of the impellercauses 1110 51011 oi the playing pieces.

9. In a game simulatingbaseball, a diamond, a rotatable impeller havinga substantially helical portion disposed therearoundfor moving playingpieces and a play indicator disposed withinthe diamond and actuatedbythe impeller. 1

10. In a baseball game, a mechanism for elfecting movement of certainplayers indicating one of two opposing teams, means for efi'ectingmovement of certain players of the other of the two opposing teams, anindicator operated by said mechanism for determining the initialoperation of said means, and an indicator operated by said means fordetermining the extent of movement thereof.

11. In a baseball game, a game board having a diamond track thereaboutinthe form of a slot, a coiled wire confinedunder the game board inalignment with the slot, means for rotating the coil, game pieces havingmeans there-on engaging the coil by means of which they are moved aroundthe diamond upon rotation of the coil, and an indicator operated by thecoil for determining the ex tent of movement of the players upon eachplay.

12. In a baseball game, a game board having a diamond track thereaboutin the form of a slot, a coiled wire confined under the game board inalignment with the slot, means for rotating the coil, game pieces havingmeans thereon engaging the coil by means of which they are moved aroundthe diamond upon rotation of the coil, an indicator operated by the coilfor determining the extent of movement of the players upon each play,other players indicating a pitcher and a catcher, and means foreii'ecting movement of the pitcher and catcher.

18. In a game simulating baseball, pieces representing a pitcher, batterand catcher, respectively, a single operating means for causing all ofsuch pieces to make representative movements, and an indicator actuatedby such operating means for determining the play of the batter.

14. In a game simulating baseball, pieces representing players, meansfor causing a plurality of such pieces to make representative movements,indicating means operated thereby, a rotatable impeller having asubstantially helical portion for moving other pieces, and pieces havingmeans engaging the impeller whereby movement of the im peller causesmotion of such pieces, the indicating means determining the operation.

15. In a game simulating baseball, pieces representing players, meansfor causing at least one of such pieces to make a representativemovement, indicating means actuated thereby, a rotatable impeller havinga substantially helical portion for moving pieces, and an indicatoractuated by the impeller.

16. In a game simulating baseball, a diamond, a rotatable impellerhaving a substantially helical portion disposed therearound for movingplaying pieces, and a play indicator having unequally spaced teeth inengagement with the impeller whereby the indicator will be non-uniformlyactuated upon rotation of the impeller to move the pieces uniformly.

17. The combination with a game board having a slot therein with aflexible helical wire confined under the board along the slot, of a gamepiece adapted to be moved over the game board along the slot, said gamepiece having a roller adapted to engage the board at least one side ofthe slot and having a gear wheel connected with the roller adapted toengage said helical wire, said game piece having a pivoted base memberadapted to rest on the gear wheel and be vibrated thereby.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

OTTO A. DRENGWITZ.

